EGYPT UPROOTED :PART 2

Off we went, heading blindly and anxiously for Sesostress, Raml Station. The taxi was really in poor shape. Not surprise because we had been informed prior to this through internet reading. The taxi stopped couple of time asking for direction. He seemed lost and not knowing Sesostress St. After some back and forth movement in the city we were dropped in front of the building, no 17 Sesostress Street. Its MARA OFFICE cum Students' hostel.. It stood elegantly, outshining the other old worn out buildings around it.

Amal! Here we came! An indian looking guy greeted us. I looked at him suspiciously.

" Hello, are u from Malaysia? Don’t worry; I am working here in MARA." He intoduced himself. I felt comfortable, a bit. He carried the luggages together with few another boys to the lobby. I called Amal and she rushed down. We hugged. We kissed. We shed tears of joy. The Indian looking guy kept watching before we parted. Later I came to know that he was an Arab, working at MARA, good English and ardent supporter of Mubarak.!

A tearful reunion , Umi and Amal.

We adjourned to the SRI PUTRA CAFETARIA at the basement before we stumbled upon a MARA officer Hj Idris, whom I mistakenly addressed as Ustaz Isahak. We exchanged greeting and started talking about every thing. Ustaz Isahak came and we exchanged greetings. Small in size but super duper friendly. He was the director of MARA MIDDLE EAST

Tn Hj Idris who offered us a shelter at his house during the riot.

After stuffing away the luggage, Amal led us to the rented apartment at Camp Caesar. Miscalculation by Amal in getting off the taxi led us to struggling and negotiating the 250 meter walk with heavy luggages! Quite a distance though and it really kept us catching our breath

The two room apartment with cable TV plus cooking facilities was good. What more it was just 80 Genih /day. The conversion rate: 1RM = 1.85 Genih.

In The afternoon, Amal began her tourist guide role. The apartment was only 20 meter from the sea. We were taken to the sea front, wide beautiful frontage over looking the Mediterranean Sea. The breeze further lowered the winter temperature to close below 10 C.

A nice leisure stroll indeed while capturing some photos in between.

We hope into a van called tram co and headed for the Salehuddin Al Ayubi. A huge brick building where people picnic beside it. Spend about 1.5 hours there before Amal treated us with her favorite meal Ruz billaban. Very nice indeed.

Backround: Al'alah, Fort of Salahuddin Al Ayubi

Sun set , Mediteranean Sea

Beautiful murals

Leisure by the beach

We then headed for some tourist attraction along the beach before we adjourned to the city centre Manshiah For a stroll. It was about 745 pm and the street was bustling with traders trying to get the attention. Suddenly I observed two army tanks parked at the junction. I stared and walked past. Turned my head again to catch a second glimpse, and walked. Why army? Normal…may be, I said to my inquisitive mind. We had a simple dinner of take away kebab at a nearby park before call it a day. Jet lag was still heavy and that night, we dozed off peacefully till the next morning.